Field Hockey Notches Thrilling Senior Day Victory over Swarthmore, 2-1

HAVERFORD, Pa. - After celebrating its six seniors in a pregame ceremony, the Haverford College Field Hockey team (9-8, 3-7 CC)  made sure to send the Class of 2020 out on a high note, notching a thrilling 2-1 victory over Hood Trophy rival Swarthmore (7-10, 3-7 CC). Carolin Schmidt, Casey Wakai, Lucy Tortolani, Rachel Gordon, Caroline Aronowitz, and Rylee Fennell were honored for their dedication and commitment to the Haverford program, in addition to four-year student manager Gerrit Farren. 

After the ceremonies, the Garnet looked ready to spoil the party as Swarthmore scored in just the second minute of action. Haverford responded with a pair of unanswered goals in the final 10 minutes of the game to come away with the hard-earned win. Ravenel Davis notched her third goal of the season with just 1:02 to play to seal the result late. The Fords owned a 19-9 advantage in shots and a 10-2 edge in penalty corners on the afternoon.

Swarthmore came out of the gates swinging, peppering the cage early as Sunny Truslow was called into action almost immediately, making a save in the first 90 seconds of game action. The Garnet scored the opener as Marion Carr scooped a redirection off the pads of Truslow and was able to slot a shot home for the score in just the second minute.

Haverford chased the equalizer from that point, with strong offensive chances off penalty corners in both the first and second quarters. Dalia Bercow rocketed a shot off a corner attempt in the 21st minute before Roxy Vassighi also had her attempt blocked in the sequence. Carr looked to double the Swarthmore advantage before the break, but Truslow made a lunging save just before the intermission to keep the visitor's lead to just one.

As the third quarter began, Swarthmore again seemed to come out of the break strong, testing Truslow with a trio of shots on frame as the junior denied each attempt in the flurry. In the 51st minute, Swarthmore had a shot denied by Caroline Aronowitz as the senior capped her stalwart career with a 13th defensive save. 

Seniors were involved in each of the last two big moments for Haverford, as Casey Wakai added her ninth goal of the season as she scooped and scored a 55th minute goal, tying the contest and rejuvenating a Haverford sideline hungry for a victory. With the tempo of the game firmly in control of the Fords, Haverford went to work offensively in the closing minute as the squad earned their 10th and final penalty corner of the contest with just 1:12 to play. 

Wakai inserted the attempt to the top of the circle, where Rachel Gordon was able to chase the long pass into the midfield and deliver a rocket of a cross into the circle for the waiting stick of Davis. After beating a defender, the sophomore connected on a well-placed shot into the back of the cage to give Haverford the late lead. The goal was the third of the season for Davis, while Gordon was credited with her first helper of the year. 

Truslow made five saves between the Pipes for the Fords, while Vassighi matched a career-best with nine shots, including three on frame. Kelsey Chai and Bercow also each contributed a pair of shots to the Haverford tally. 

For Haverford, the win represented a crucial point towards the overall Hood Trophy rivalry series with the Garnet. Field Hockey has now notched eight straight home victories over Swarthmore. Looking ahead to the 2020 season, Haverford looks to be in a good position for sustained success, as the team returns its top seven goal scorers from a season ago, while also returning a bevy of key contributors to the defense along with both goalkeepers.